Marked for Love

by Hannah West

  "No one was hurt," he confirmed. "Father's name is Aaron Nichols. I'd like you here for the interrogation."

  “Not Horace?” Maybe the nurse had misheard, or it was a fake name. Noelle wouldn’t have been surprised. "Be there in five." Noelle hit end on her phone and glanced at Sara, apologetic. "I've got to run. Work calls."

  "I understand." Sara smiled, encouraging. "Don't forget your coffee. Text me about that date, will you?" Noelle blinked. "The date you proposed, before your phone rang."

  "Oh." She leaned down, hesitating, and then kissed Sara briefly on the lips. "I will. See you later." Picking up the coffee, Noelle made her way out of the coffee shop.

  When she arrived at the police station, Riley was already in the interrogation room. Loryn was waiting for her near the entrance. "Follow me," she said absently. Noelle took her coffee but dropped off her bag near her cubicle. The last thing she wanted to do was bring a purse to an interrogation.

  "Have we learned anything yet?" Noelle asked.

  "Pretty sure he's guilty of the murders," Loryn said grimly. "Fingerprints match some found at the scene. Not to mention the breaking and entering." They stopped in front of one of the questioning rooms. "Observe for a bit, then Riley will be out to check on you." She nodded towards the observation room.

  "Thanks." Noelle smiled briefly at Loryn before going into the observation room.

  Berric, one of the other young detectives of the department, turned to glance at her when she entered. "He confessed," he told her.

  "Already?" Noelle was disappointed that she hadn't been privy to the details. "That was quick."

  Berric shrugged. "He cracked the moment Riley started asking questions."

  Noelle turned towards the interrogation room. There was a tall brown-haired man of medium build handcuffed and sitting at the table, while Riley sat across from him, asking questions. The brown-haired man - Aaron, Noelle corrected herself - answered every question asked, most in a muted tone. He didn't look up, didn't look at the window. He seemed depressed, defeated. He wasn't what Noelle had been expecting.

  "Why did you kill them?" Riley asked, his hands on pictures of Julia's parents.

  "They wouldn't give me my daughter," he muttered, making the motions to cross his arms but stymied by the handcuffs that bound his wrists together. "They wasn't takin good care of her.”

  "Good care of her?" Riley asked, his expression not shifting one iota.

  "She didn't get to see other kids. She didn't get to see me." Aaron glared at the ceiling as if that would change anything. "Ain't right, doing that to a child. Preventing them from seeing their parent."

  Riley made a noncommittal noise. Noelle bit back a retort, even from the observation room. "I'm going to leave now, and one of our other officers is going to come process you."

  Noelle watched Riley leave the room and come into the observation room. "No lawyer?" she asked.

  "He refused one." Riley shrugged. "I'll want you to listen to the transcript eventually, in case we have to go to trial, but he confessed to everything."

  Noelle nodded. "Berric told me."

  "Least we can close this one, eh?" Riley smiled a tired smile. "Then it's time for the rest that weren't so lucky."

  Noelle sank onto Sara’s couch, smiling thankfully when the other woman handed her a glass of wine. “Long day?” Sara asked, her voice kind as she sat next to Noelle on the couch.

  Noelle rolled her eyes as she took a sip of the wine. “That’s for sure.” It had been a week since Julia’s father was arrested and the paperwork alone had taken up most of her workdays. Today had led to a break in another case, one of her first that she had worked on with Riley. It was a good week at work, that was for sure, but it was an exhausting one. “How was work for you?” she asked, glancing over at her – whatever she was.

  “Much quieter without police on the floor.” Sara drank her wine, then shifted, tucking her feet up underneath her. “They found a foster family for Julia.”

  Noelle’s stomach sank but she tried to look happy. “That’s good,” she said, even though she wasn’t sure she was.

  “They can’t take her long term,” Sara said, looking at her over the wine glass.

  Noelle made a noncommittal noise, her attention all over the place. Having Sara near didn’t help her focus. Part of Noelle craved her touch. She wanted Sara close to her, wanted to be with her, kiss her. The rest of her, however, wanted to finish her wine first. Priorities, after all. “You have tomorrow off?”

  “Yup,” Sara said, draining her wine too quickly. Noelle looked at her and raised her eyebrows. Sara smiled lazily back. “Wine is no good unless you drink it.”

  Chuckling, Noelle toed off her shoes and then curled up on the couch, her head lolling back against the couch even as she held the goblet of wine in her hand. “We should watch a movie.”

  Sara hummed. “You pick this time.”

  Grumbling, Noelle got off the couch and padded over to the DVDs. She wasn’t in the mood for anything serious; she doubted Sara was either. “Rom com okay?”

  “Whatever you want.”

  Noelle picked a random one off the shelf, one she hadn’t seen, and read the back. It looked good. Cute, cheesy - the kind of movie she would watch while she ate ice cream after a bad day.

  Desperate to say something but not sure what, Noelle went with the first question that came to mind. “Are you warm enough?” When Noelle turned back after placing the DVD into the player, Sara was watching her, bemused. “It’s a valid question.”

  “Cute,” Sara said, the corner of her lips lifting in a half-smile. “I’m quite warm, thank you.”

  Noelle laughed, settling back on the couch close to Sara than she had been before. No one but her family had ever called her cute before. She liked it. Her wine was still in her hand, Sara’s empty goblet resting on the coffee table in front of them. “More wine?” Noelle asked.

  Sara shook her head. “That’s my second one.”

  “You drank before I got here?” Noelle pretended to look offended.

  Sara leaned forward and kissed her. “You look adorable when you’re outraged.”

  Noelle kissed her back, relished in the feeling of her lips against hers, the way Sara slide a hand into her hair. She felt warm all over, too warm, feverish, almost dizzy. She loved it. “So…” She trailed off, not sure how to ask.

  Sara pulled back, quizzical.

  “Are we like. Dating?” Noelle hadn’t felt that awkward since middle school, and she really wasn’t fond of it.

  “Do you want to be?” Sara tilted her head.

  Noelle pursed her lips. “I think so.” Sara was quiet for a few seconds, and unease grew in Noelle’s middle.

  “Me too,” Sara said, then kissed her cheek. “The movie’s starting.”

  Noelle settled next to Sara, not bothering to hide a smile when Sara draped an arm over her shoulder. She sipped her wine as the movie started to play, leaning her head against Sara’s. “I want more wine.”

  Sara kissed the top of her head. “Do you need more wine?”

  “No,” said doubtfully. Well. “Yes.”

  “That makes things clear.” Sara shook her head. “You have to walk home later.”

  “No more wine, then.” Noelle sighed. It was a tragic decision. She would have more wine later. Maybe.

  “Good.” Sara stroked Noelle’s hair, careful to not get her fingers tangled in the curls.

  Noelle shifted, draining the rest of her glass of wine and placing the empty goblet next to Sara’s on the table. She slid back underneath Sara’s arm, moving so that she could lay her head on Sara’s shoulder. It was awkward - she had never really cuddled with someone before, not since she was a child.

  Sara moved out from underneath her. “Here,” she said, moving so that she was more reclined against the couch. “Lean on me.”

  Noelle settled with her back against Sara’s chest, her arms crossed over her middle. Sara was warm against her, her chin resting on
Noelle’s head in a way that was comforting instead of claustrophobic. She felt safe, protected. Drowsy, too. She felt her eyes fluttering closed, a mixture of the wine and the long day. “Sorry if my hair’s in your mouth.”

  Sara chuckled. “You do have more product in your hair than I expected.”

  Noelle tilted her head back onto Sara’s shoulder so she could look up at her. Mostly what she saw was the ceiling. “Downside of curly hair. I’ll show you my bathroom next time you come over.”

  “You won’t find much of that in mine.” Sara settled an arm across Noelle’s middle. Cautiously Noelle placed her hand on Sara’s, so that their fingers could twine together. “Not much work to keep straight hair straight.”

  It did seem like a much easier proposition, although Noelle could admit that Sara had lovely black hair. Sleek and shiny, it formed a perfect bob around her face. “I like your hair.”

  “Thank you,” Sara said. Noelle looked up to see her smile, and then settled back down so she could see the movie.

  As the credits rolled, Noelle yawned, startled to realize that she had drifted off during the last quarter of the movie. She looked at Sara, mortified. “Sorry.”

  “You didn’t miss much,” Sara said as Noelle moved into a standing position, starting to stretch her limbs. Noelle managed to sit up on the couch, although she felt cold away from Sara’s body heat.

  “I liked the first half, though.” Noelle grinned at her. Sara smiled faintly, stretching her arms in front of her body. “Are you okay?” she asked after a moment. “You seem distracted.”

  “Hmm?” Sara glanced at her. “I’m a bit sore after someone spent the evening laying on me.” She winked. “I’m just a bit tired, is all.”

  “Alright.” Noelle smiled, shaking out her hands. The cold had eased and she was warming up, although she could have happily stayed on the couch for the rest of the evening.

  “You don’t have to leave if you don’t want to.” Sara tilted her head, watching Noelle.

  Noelle glanced at the movie, which had gone to the DVD menu and was playing the same tune over and over. “I could stay for a while. But only if.”

  “If what?” Sara asked with raised eyebrows.

  “Only if you turn that bloody menu off.” Noelle grinned and leaned forward, kissing Sara briefly on the lips. “I’ll take the goblets into the kitchen, you turn off the movie.”

  “Leave me with the hard job,” Sara grumbled playfully.

  “Your life is so difficult,” Noelle drawled. She walked into the kitchen, her feet padding noiselessly on the tiled floor. Putting the goblets on the counter, she half-turned and paused, noticing the small pile of mail on the table near the entrance. The one on top was hand-addressed, a rarity in the modern world. But there was no return address. Shrugging it out of her mind, she headed back into the living room to rejoin her girlfriend.

  “So what next?” Sara asked, standing near the DVDs. Noelle smiled at her, her stomach fluttering with nerves. Even looking at Sara for too long gave her butterflies.

  “Dunno,” Noelle said, moving into the living room and closer to Sara. “Never really dated before.”

  Sara moved closer to her, slid her arms around her. Kissed just under her ear, then down her jawline. Gentle, feather-light kisses that made Noelle shiver. “I did, a bit. After my partner died.”

  Noelle shivered when Sara kissed her neck. It tickled but made her toes curl at the same time. Sara smiled. “Like it?” she asked, her voice low.

  “Yes,” Noelle whispered. She liked having Sara right up against her, liked having Sara’s mouth on her skin.

  Sara kissed up her neck, up her jawline. Pulled back, just a bit, and then kissed her on the lips. Her mouth moved against Noelle’s, slowly, lazily. Noelle felt too warm, her head spun. She opened her mouth against Sara’s, breathed the same air. She had never kissed someone like this before, with warmth, with wanting. The last time she had kissed someone was in college, just to see what it was like. She hadn’t liked it. Now she did.

  Sara’s arm wrapped around Noelle’s waist, her other hand going to Noelle’s hip, fingertips tentatively delving underneath Noelle’s shirt. Noelle inhaled sharply, and Sara paused. “Okay?” she asked.

  Noelle hesitated, then nodded. “I think so.”

  Sara kissed her. A chaste kiss, a brief one. “It’s okay to say no. If you’re not comfortable, let me know.”

  Noelle kissed her, her arms around Sara’s shoulders. “It’s okay.” She smiled shyly. “Thank you.”

  Sara hummed her acknowledgement, kissing Noelle again, then moved down to her neck, sucking on a patch of skin. For a moment Noelle felt ridiculous. What was she supposed to be doing with her hands? Was it okay just to lean into Sara slightly, to enjoy it? Was she supposed to be reciprocating at some point?

  “I can hear you thinking.” Sara chuckled, kissing Noelle’s neck. “Whatever feels natural.”

  “I feel about as natural as a fish out of water,” Noelle muttered.

  Sara snorted, then kissed her. “You don’t taste like seafood.”

  Noelle smiled, kept her arms around Sara’s neck, and kissed her back. She felt dizzy, intoxicated, like she couldn’t think, could barely breathe. Sara steered them to the couch, till Noelle’s legs hit the couch and she toppled, letting go of Sara and ending up sprawled on the couch.

  “Oops,” Sara said, trying to hide a grin and failing.

  “Oops,” Noelle mimicked, rolling her eyes with a smile. She sat up, went to stand, and was stopped when Sara sat down on her lap, straddling her knees. Noelle blinked at her. “Or. Okay.”

  Sara chuckled and kissed her, able to lick her way into Noelle’s mouth from the new angle. Noelle had never been sat on before, but she had to say that she didn’t entirely mind. She relaxed into Sara on top of her, her eyes closing as they kissed. She could feel Sara’s fingertips at her waistline, rucking up her shirt. It felt exhilarating, dangerous. Like something she shouldn’t be doing but did anyway.

  Pinned by Sara’s weight, Noelle couldn’t squirm or squeak when Sara’s fingers made their way up her middle. Sara spread her hand against Noelle’s middle, all five fingers resting on her stomach. Noelle shivered, breaking the kiss as her head dropped, her forehead on Sara’s shoulder. “You okay?” Sara asked, her voice sounding close to Noelle’s ear.

  “Yeah.” Noelle shifted slightly, pressing her forehead into the crook of Sara’s neck. She could smell her shampoo, floral and intoxicating. It was oddly comforting, even in the midst of her uncertainty. “Can we slow down for a bit?”

  Sara withdrew her hand, smoothed Noelle’s shirt down, and then wrapped her arms around Noelle’s shoulders, holding her gently. She pressed a kiss to Noelle’s hair. “Mhm.”

  “Sorry.” Noelle felt her cheeks heat up. She was embarrassed for panicking, getting overwhelmed from something she had seen so often on TV or read in books. It was so much more than what she had read, what she had seen.

  Sara stroked Noelle’s hair. “I’m not in the business of making you uncomfortable.” She moved off of Noelle, settling next to her with an arm around her shoulders. “It’s no fun unless both of us are enjoying it.”

  Noelle looked up to see her smile. She felt cold without Sara pressed up against her. Leaning into Sara’s arm, she took a deep breath, letting the nerves fizzle out as her body finally relaxed. She smiled at Sara. “I liked it.”

  Sara laughed, and kissed her. “Good. I’m glad.”

  They stayed curled up on the couch for several long minutes. Noelle liked being close to Sara, feeling her warm body next to hers. “I don’t want to leave.”

  “I don’t want you to leave.” Sara kissed Noelle’s cheek. “Do you have plans after the meeting on Thursday?”

  Noelle wrinkled her nose. She had forgotten about the loss meeting. “I have to work Friday night, but I’m off Thursday.”

  “You could stay the night.” Sara looked at her, her expression neutral.

  Noelle blinke
d, then considered the offer. She swallowed, her throat feeling oddly dry. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “I’d like that.”

  Sara’s face broke into a wide smile, and she kissed Noelle gently, sweetly. “I’ll text you.”

  Noelle’s insides twisted pleasurably. Sara looked so beautiful when she smiled. “I’ll text you.” Carefully she eased out from underneath Sara, feeling oddly disconcerted by the lack of contact. It had been so nice, spending the evening curled up against her girlfriend.

  She hunted down her shoes, slid the black heels on, found her coat. Got ready to leave and face the frigid cold of the evening. Thankfully it was just a short drive home. “Text me when you’re home safe?” Sara asked standing and walking Noelle to the door.

  Noelle smiled. Sara cared, she really did, and the thought made her feel warm inside. “I will. Goodnight.” She gave Sara a brief kiss on the lips and then opened the door, closing it quickly behind her.

  Wednesday afternoon Noelle strode into the department, pulling off her scarf and folding it. Riley was waiting by her cubicle. She raised her eyebrows as she drew nearer. “Good afternoon,” she said.

  Riley grimaced. “Did you do something to irritate the new Sergeant?” he asked.

  “Sergeant Rhimes?” Noelle tilted her head. “Not that I’m aware of.”

  “I’d keep an eye on him,” Riley said, propping an arm on the side of her cubicle. “He doesn’t seem to like you.”

  “He doesn’t know me.”

  “That doesn’t stop him from not liking you.” Riley shrugged. “What do we have on the roster today?”

  “Evidence paperwork, follow-up on the witness for the Pepper case. Julia got released to her foster family, so I thought we would check on her. The plea deal for her father is moving along, but his lawyer is getting shirty, so we have to be prepared to go to trial.” Noelle scowled at the thought. “Nothing too strenuous.”

  “Are you working tomorrow?” Riley ran a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. “Loryn needs us to go over some chain of command stuff to ensure that it’s good.”

  “I have a meeting,” Noelle said, grimacing. “Then I’m going over to Sara’s for the night.” Her personal life wasn’t his business, no, but Noelle trusted her partner. He had always been polite and respectful in the years they had been working together.